Chapter 5

Hudson

The package came hand-addressed and taped up. Seeing her loopy handwriting, a little smeared, feels intimate somehow. I rub my thumb across my name as if I can capture part of her in the pen marks.

Fuck, I'm getting dramatic in my old age. I don't even bother trying to do the math to figure out my literal age. That's the single perk about being a creature of the night. You stop aging. You're locked in to where you were the precise moment you were turned.

So I guess I don't look a day older than my thirty-two years.

I slice open the tape and open the box. I don't even remember the last time I got a package like this. Not a package per se, because I get most of my items that way, but this, a present for me.

I'm in so much trouble with this woman. Last night I looked at her application and discovered she's barely twenty-three. She's so beautiful, so sweet and so damn perfect, she's turned me into a fucking old-man creeper.

There's a folded piece of notebook paper on top so I grab that first and unfold it. My eyes are greedy as they eat up her words.

Dear Mr. Wells,

Seriously, your generosity seems to know no bounds. I am so grateful. I have some health issues that complicate some things for me, and this desk is absolute perfection! Exactly what I needed.

I know a return gift isn't necessary since you're my employer and simply buying things that would normally be available in a regular office setting. But I wanted to acknowledge your thoughtfulness.

You mentioned in our last video chat that you struggle with insomnia. I've found this tea particularly helpful with that, so I hope it helps you too.

Sincerely,

Rosie

Rosie. Not Ms. Breit.

I read her note again.

"You're creepy when you smile like that," a voice comes from the doorway.

I look up to find Chester, my human familiar, standing there with his arms over his chest.

I roll my eyes. "I wasn't smiling."

"You were totally smiling." He comes in and sits across from me. His head nods towards the box still sitting on my lap. "What's that?"

"A gift."

Chester leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, and he winces a little. He's been with me for years, and his age is beginning to show. I don't even really need him anymore now that I live in Screaming Woods. But I won't ever put him out. He can leave if he wants, but I consider him family.

"What is it?" he asks.

"A tea for insomnia."

He cocks a brow. "You told her you have insomnia?"

"Told who?" I ask pretending like I don't know who we're talking about.

It's his turn to roll his eyes. "Don't insult me. We both know who you're talking about. Pretty sure Polly and June and the rest of the hotel cleaning staff know too."

"Whatever. Yes, it might have slipped out during our last video chat."

"Video chat," he snorts. "You're in so much fucking trouble if this girl ever decides to ignore your protests and pop in for a visit."

"That's not going to happen. There would be no reason for her to come to the hotel." I glare at my familiar. "Did you need something or are you just in here to piss me off?"

"I'm always game to piss you off, but I thought you'd want to know that we are at full capacity for the upcoming Monster Mash."

"That's the dumbest name," I say.

"Agreed. But it's what the powers that be decided to call the gathering, party, whatever the hell it is. I just thought you'd wanna know that the hotel is fully booked for that entire weekend."

I nod. "Thanks. Let me know if there's anything I need to handle myself."

"We got you covered, boss man." With that, Chester leaves my office.

I pick up her letter again and re-read the part about her health issues. What does that mean? Is she hurting? Or sick? Maybe I can figure out a way to ask without breaching her privacy.